The mission of Opportunity Enterprises (OE) is to maximize self-sufficiency and enrich the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Through the provision of a number of programs including, but not limited to, residential, respite, education-based day programs, transportation, daily living skills, employment and job coaching, OE relies on the generosity of others, like volunteers, who help bring the mission to life.
“I have said this many times before, and I will continue to say it because it is so true! Our volunteers are such valuable partners!” states Julie McKean, senior director of facilities, safety and compliance.
Holladay Properties is one such valuable volunteer partner. On Monday, October 11 – a group of over 20 Holladay Properties team members traveled to Opportunity Enterprises’ main building to landscape and clean up several outdoor patio areas that are used by clients and OE staff. A full day of volunteer work, Holladay Properties took a noon break to learn more about OE and the services provided to communities throughout Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.
Holladay Properties team members take time to support a landscaping and clean-up project at Opportunity Enterprises on October 11. Holladay Properties members from left to right: Mike O’Connor, Amanda Watson, Madi Mayernik, Lydia Amado, Michelle Mosier, Laura Small, Frank Trapane, Larry Mudd, Jessica Vargas, Ryan Kelly, and Tim Healy (not pictured: Mike Micka, Clayton Trueblood, Chris Nowfel, Tiana McQueen, Kellen Fekete, Byron Matthews, and Nick Sebert)
Laura Small, Project Architect for Holladay Properties, was the lead in organizing a volunteer group, garnering their interests, and landing on supporting efforts of Opportunity Enterprises. “Holladay Properties was excited to work with OE to kick off our Fall Services Week, and this experience was really great for our team. The Lunch and Learn part of this project was the highlight. We were able to meet Libby who is a former client of OE and now an employee working with SecureShred. Libby gave all of us insight on OE’s quality programs that truly support clients. It made our project more worthwhile,” Small said.
Opportunity Enterprises maintains over 170 acres and over 132,000 square feet of space in 16 different properties and supports programs and services through another 12 leased properties. “Our clients are proud of the time they spend with OE in properties that are comfortable and well-maintained. We have a small but dedicated facilities team who more than appreciates when individuals and outside groups offer their support to ensure our properties are in the best condition,” Julie McKean states further.
Clayton Trueblood of Holladay Properties helps to move 1,800 ton of rock to an outdoor patio area of Opportunity Enterprises.
Tim Healy, President and CEO of Holladay Properties, provides his employees with 32 hours of paid VTO (Volunteer Time Off) each year, as well as two company-wide Service Weeks each year. This concept provides Holladay employees various opportunities to share their generosity to help make the communities they live in strong and viable. At the end of the project, Healy simply stated, “We were glad to help out. OE does amazing things for amazing people.”
To learn more about volunteering with Opportunity Enterprises, call (219) 464-9621 or email Alison Martin at alison.martin@oppent.org.
About Opportunity Enterprises
For more than 50 years, Opportunity Enterprises works to maximize self-sufficiency and enrich the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. OE is in the business of amazing people, serving nearly 1,500 people with disabilities in Northwest Indiana with over 360 staff and hundreds of volunteers. To learn more about OE or to support the organization by volunteering or making a gift, call (219) 464-9621, or visit oppent.org.
About Holladay Properties
Holladay Properties is a full-scale land development, design/build, and fully integrated real estate company, as well as one of the largest medical office and property management firms in the country. The firm has developed over 20 million square feet of commercial space and actively manages over 15.5 million square feet of office, industrial, retail, multi-family, hotel, and healthcare space. With more than 260 employees in a variety of specialties working from more than 25 management offices throughout the eastern half of the U.S., Holladay has the knowledge, experience, and people to complete any type of project for any kind of client. Our mission is enriching lives through investment and service. Visit www.holladayproperties.com for more information.